Armed Forces: Explosive-Suppressant Foam

Lord Luke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Ministry of Defence first considered fitting explosive-suppressant foam devices to Royal Air Force Hercules aircraft; and
	What is the estimated cost of fitting explosive-suppressant foam devices to a Hercules aircraft; and
	Why explosive-suppressant foam devices have not already been fitted to all Royal Air Force Hercules aircraft; and
	How many Royal Air Force aircraft are to be left without explosive-suppressant foam devices; and why; and
	What assessment the Ministry of Defence has made of the United States' use of explosive-suppressant foam devices in aircraft.

Lord Drayson: In the past, our Hercules aircraft would not have been exposed to the type and level of threat that now prevails in today's operational environments. Hercules defensive systems have, however, been enhanced and modified considerably in recent years, with the emphasis on countering the greatest perceived threats, while also evolving tactics and improving force protection on the ground.
	Although the Ministry of Defence was aware that explosive-suppressant foam (ESF) was available as a possible upgrade for the Hercules, until the loss of Hercules XV 179 the Hercules aircraft was not judged vulnerable to the form of attack that caused XV 179 to crash, albeit that there had been some working-level correspondence on the subject within the RAF. The board of inquiry into the loss of Hercules XV 179 recommended that the MoD should consider the fitting of a fuel tank inerting system, and this was taken forward as a matter of urgency. As a result, we have recently decided to fit ESF to some of our Hercules aircraft, concentrating on those aircraft which operate at the highest threat. Subject to final contract negotiations, we expect to have the first aircraft fitted with ESF available for operations in the next few months. The initial programme will cost £600,000 per aircraft.
	We are aware of the approach that the United States has taken, but we do not comment on the capability of other nations.

Armed Forces: RAF Police

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How the integration of the Royal Air Force Police into the Royal Air Force Regiment and the re-tasking of that regiment, as announced by the Ministry of Defence on 31 March, will affect the ability of the Royal Air Force Police to undertake, and assist in the conduct of, special investigations.

Lord Drayson: The announcement made on 31 March this year referred to the integration of the force protection activities undertaken by the Royal Air Force Police and the Royal Air Force Regiment rather than to the structural integration of the two organisations. This integration will not impact on the ability of the Royal Air Force Police to undertake special investigations.

British Citizenship

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 2 May (WA 49) and having regard to the fourth data protection principle, why records will be updated only after successful registration as a British citizen, when both Indian and Nepalese nationality law provide that any citizen of those countries who acquires citizenship otherwise than by birth loses Indian or Nepalese citizenship and British national (overseas) status could be acquired only by registration.

Lord Triesman: We cannot arbitrarily change database information without actual evidence that the changes are accurate. We are not qualified to determine other countries' nationality laws and will not base changes to our records on a general determination of these laws. In addition, overseas posts do not determine an applicant's qualification to register as a British citizen under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997. Overseas posts, primarily our Consulate-General in Hong Kong, forward applications for registration as a British citizen to the Home Office where applicants show that they may meet the requirements of that Act, but it is the Home Office that is the determining registration authority. The Home Office could refuse an application.
	It therefore follows that a successful application for registration as a British citizen under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997 means that an applicant has proved that they are solely British, and we will then amend the British national (overseas) records held in Hong Kong to reflect that fact.

Consultants: Office of theDeputy Prime Minister

Lord Smith of Clifton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much was spent each year on external management consultants by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and its agencies from 2000 to 2005.

Baroness Andrews: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was formed in May 2002. Figures on management consultants cannot be disaggregated from those for external consultants, and the figures in the table below show all external consultants' costs and relate to ODPM central and its agencies.
	
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
			 ODPM central £76,000,000 £47,000,000 £79,831,087 £52,609,857 
			 Planning Inspectorate £3,222,478 £2,892,751 £2,824,751 £2,799,330 
			 Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre £11,016 £68,861 £79,635 £123,946 
			 Fire Service College £43,306 £152,279 £320,484 £345,580 
		
	
	The office has responded to the need to develop sustainable homes and communities, and consultants have been engaged to support the development of system processes. The skills required for these programmes were not available from civil servants. In addition, consultants have been engaged by ODPM to support the delivery of projects to enhance the ability of the fire and rescue service to respond to major incidents. The work undertaken by consultants includes providing radio engineering expertise for the fire and rescue service's new radio systems, and logistical support and design for responding to a chemical, biological, radioactive or nuclear incident and search and rescue incidents. Some 60 per cent of expenditure has been in support of these projects.

Disabled People: Employment

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What percentage of disabled people who want to work are unemployed and claiming state benefits; and how this compares to the percentage of non-disabled people who want to work, are unemployed and are claiming state benefits.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The most recent information shows that 15.23 per cent of disabled people of working age who want to work are not in employment and are claiming state benefits, compared to 3.96 per cent of the non-disabled working-age population.
	Note: These data are taken from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) winter 2005 dataset. As the LFS is a self-reporting survey, it often underestimates the magnitude of benefit claims.

Disarmament: Small Arms

Baroness Tonge: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to attend the United Nations conference to review progress made in implementing the programme of action to prevent combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms, taking place in New York from 26 June to 7 July 2006.

Lord Triesman: UK ministerial participation at the review conference of the United Nations programme of action to prevent combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects is currently under consideration. John Duncan, UK Ambassador to the UN Conference on Disarmament, will lead the team of officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence, the Department for Trade and Industry and the Department for International Development.

Drugs: Treatment Budget

Lord Adebowale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are reviewing the announced allocations for the pooled drug treatment budget in (a) 2006–07, and (b) 2007–08.

Lord Warner: In association with a review of finances across the whole of the National Health Service, we have been reviewing previously announced indicative allocations for the pooled drug treatment budget for 2006–07. No review has been undertaken in relation to 2007–08 funding.

Drugs: Treatment Budget

Lord Adebowale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the percentage increase in the pooled drug treatment budget for (a) 2006–07, and (b) 2007–08.

Lord Warner: Until an announcement is made regarding the pooled drug treatment budget for 2006–07 and 2007–08, this information is not available.

Drugs: Treatment Budget

Lord Adebowale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will make a decision on the allocation of the pooled drug treatment budget for 2006–07.

Lord Warner: An announcement on pooled drug treatment budget funding for 2006–07 will be made in the near future.

General Medical Council

Lord Alderdice: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In view of the role of the Privy Council in the procedures and practice of the General Medical Council, whether the General Medical Council's publication of an allegation against a doctor on its website weeks before that doctor's hearing is in conformity with the right to a fair trial in the European Convention on Human Rights and other human rights instruments.

Lord Warner: The summary of the allegations against a doctor that is published by the General Medical Council prior to a hearing is in conformity with relevant human rights instruments.

Home Office

Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect to complete their ongoing review of the effectiveness of the Home Office with a view to restructuring and reorganisation of the department.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Home Office review is expected to report before the Summer Recess 2006. Separate to this process, on 5 May 2006 some changes to the "machinery of government" were announced. They included the transfer of the active communities and civic renewal functions from the Home Office to the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Cabinet Office.

Immigration: Detention of Breastfeeding Mothers

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What has been the practice of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate on detention of breastfeeding mothers without their infants; and what changes they have implemented as a result of the review by senior officials of the case of Mrs N (Home Office reference N1081177).

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Immigration Service considers a wide range of factors when deciding whether to detain a person for removal who has children in this country. This includes the separation of a breastfeeding mother from her infant, although it would be uncommon for detention to take place in these circumstances. The decision to detain a person rests with the individual officer and is based on the individual circumstances of the case. If the officer considers that an individual is suitable for detention, they must relay the facts of the case to an officer of at least chief immigration officer rank for authorisation. The Immigration Service is reviewing all aspects of the process for effecting family removals, and the outcome will take the form of guidance, which will be made available to operational enforcement staff, through the operational enforcement manual. An in-depth review of the case of Mrs N. has now taken place and a series of recommendations made. That review has found that existing procedures for dealing with such cases were not followed in this case. I will be writing to the noble Lord shortly about the case of Mrs N.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will launch diplomatic initiatives in the Near and Middle East to demonstrate that the European Union and the United Kingdom are taking a consistent approach with regard to the current situation in the occupied territories.

Lord Triesman: The UK and the EU have consistently supported a negotiated, two-state solution to the Middle East conflict, based on relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. The 9 May quartet statement reiterated that commitment and endorsed a UK initiative to create an international funding mechanism to provide assistance directly to the Palestinian people. The full text of the statement can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1035368727585&a=KArticle&aid=1145894925739.
	We continue to believe that an internationally co-ordinated approach to the Middle East, led by the quartet, is the most effective one.

London: 7 July Terrorist Attack

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to demands for a full public inquiry into the 7 July 2005 London bombing attacks.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government carefully considered the possibility of a public inquiry into the 7 July London bombings but concluded that it would not add to our understanding of the causes of those atrocities. It would also divert the attention of our police and security services and take years to complete. There are a number of parliamentary and other inquiries under way to address specific aspects of the events.

NHS: Dispensing Contractors

Baroness Tonge: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they propose to publish the findings of the consultation process on the proposals to simplify the reimbursement arrangements for National Health Service dispensing contractors.

Lord Warner: Due to the large number and technical nature of the proposals consulted on in this paper, it is intended to advance the issues raised in the consultation individually. The first announcement, covering changes to the zero discount arrangements, was published on the Department of Health's website on 25 April. Decisions and announcements covering further proposals will be made in due course. The first announcement is available on the department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/MedicinesPharmacyAndIndustry/Prescriptions/PrescriptionsArticle/fs/en?CONTENT–ID=4134055&chk=nXV0La.
	A summary of the responses received to the consultation document is also available on the department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/Consultations/ResponsesToConsultations/ResponsesToConsultationsDocumentSummary/fs/en?CONTENT–ID=4132538&chk=xjcZY%2B.

Parliamentary Ombudsman

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 29 March (WA 126), on how many occasions since 1997, and in respect of specific recommendations, the Home Office has refused or omitted to give effect to the recommendations of the Parliamentary Ombudsman.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The information requested is not held centrally within the department and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Parliamentary Ombudsman

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 29 March (WA 126), on how many occasions since 1997, and in respect of which specific recommendations, the Disability Rights Commission has refused or omitted to give effect to the recommendations of the Parliamentary Ombudsman.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: There have been no occasions.

Parliamentary Ombudsman

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 29 March (WA 126), on how many occasions since 1997, and in respect of which specific recommendations, the British Council has refused or omitted to give effect to the recommendations of the Parliamentary Ombudsman.

Lord Triesman: The British Council has not been able to find any occasion in its records since 1997 on which it has refused, or omitted, to give effect to a recommendation of the Parliamentary Ombudsman.

Parliamentary Ombudsman

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McKenzie of Luton on 2 May (WA 55), whether HM Treasury will in future hold information about the department's compliance with the Parliamentary Ombudsman's recommendations in a way which permits public access to that information.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The Treasury complies with the provisions of the Public Records Act 1967 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Police: Reorganisation

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the annual running cost of each police force in England and Wales in the past financial year; and what is the estimated annual running cost of each new police force under the proposals outlined by the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Estimated net expenditure by police authority in 2005–06 is set out in the table. Budget management for any reorganised police area will be a matter for the new police authority and the chief officer, who will be responsible for prioritising local needs.
	
		
			  Estimated net expenditure 2005–06 
			 Police Authority £'000s 
			 Avon and Somerset 240,632 
			 Bedfordshire 87,283 
			 Cambridgeshire 112,674 
			 Cheshire 148,604 
			 Cleveland 114,811 
			 Cumbria 89,115 
			 Derbyshire 145,884 
			 Devon and Cornwall 243,711 
			 Dorset 106,977 
			 Durham 105,403 
			 Essex 232,229 
			 Gloucestershire 95,928 
			 Hampshire1 268,094 
			 Hertfordshire 159,458 
			 Humberside 156,909 
			 Kent 256,520 
			 Lancashire 240,365 
			 Leicestershire 146,276 
			 Lincolnshire 89,864 
			 Norfolk 126,989 
			 Northamptonshire 110,200 
			 North Yorkshire 126,166 
			 Nottinghamshire 173,367 
			 Staffordshire 163,905 
			 Suffolk 98,863 
			 Surrey 165,407 
			 Sussex 231,282 
			 Thames Valley 325,214 
			 Warwickshire 77,200 
			 West Mercia 172,791 
			 Wiltshire 92,612 
			 Total Shires 4,904,733 
			   
			 Greater Manchester 493,914 
			 Merseyside 307,130 
			 Northumbria 262,015 
			 South Yorkshire 225,363 
			 West Midlands 490,960 
			 West Yorkshire 382,975 
			 Total Mets 2,162,357 
			   
			 Total England 
			 (exc. London) 7,067,090 
			   
			 Metropolitan 2,488,300 
			 City of London 75,756 
			 Total England 
			 (inc. London) 9,631,146 
			   
			 Dyfed-Powys 80,277 
			 Gwent 102,311 
			 North Wales 120,479 
			 South Wales 227,435 
			 Total Wales 530,502 
			   
			 Total England and Wales 10,161,648 
		
	
	Source: Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (Police statistics—Estimates)
	1 Figure for Hampshire was unavailable and has been based by CIPFA on previous trends.

RAF: Service to Ascension and Falkland Islands

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What has been the reliability of the air service provided by the Royal Air Force between the United Kingdom, Ascension Island and the Falkland Islands since 1997; and when the aircraft used for the service will be upgraded.

Lord Drayson: Since 1997 the Royal Air Force has provided a regular air service to the Falkland Islands, via Ascension Island. Since April 2003 this has been predominantly through the use of charter civilian aircraft. During this period 244 flights were made, of which records exist for 209. Based on these records, approximately 72 per cent of flights departed on schedule and a further 18 per cent were within six hours of the estimated time of departure. Approximately 6 per cent of flights were delayed in excess of 24 hours. In cases where civilian aircraft were unable to support the service, outside the terms of the contract, appropriate military aircraft were substituted. This performance is considered acceptable, given the challenging nature of the route. Comparable records are not held for the period prior to April 2003.
	The Ministry of Defence is not aware of any plans to upgrade the aircraft currently operating the schedule, although this is principally a matter for the commercial operator.

Sport: Stewards

Lord Pendry: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In view of the pending consultation on security staff at sport and other events in relation to the Private Security Industry Act 2001, what guidance the Home Office has given to the Association of Chief Police Officers on the implementation of that Act as it applies to stewards at sporting events.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Enforcement of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 is a matter for the Security Industry Authority and the police. The Association of Chief Police Officers wrote to police forces on 7 March with advice on the enforcement policy that should be adopted, including advice with regard to sports stewards. This advice contains the following statements:
	"A few specific sectors of the industry (including some functions at sporting and other events and, at the date of circulation, some video monitoring centres) continue to dispute whether their activities fall within the scope of the legislation. . . . In respect of those sectors of the guarding industry that dispute whether they should be licensed, it is recommended that forces exercise particular caution when contemplating enforcement action against a failure to comply with the licensing regime. In sectors subject to dispute, forces should, if possible, defer enforcement action to the SIA's own teams. This need not however preclude planning to build licensing into safety and other long-term plans in respect of future sporting and other events".

Travellers: Housing Benefit

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 3 November 2005 (WA 45–6), whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the research they commissioned to inform the review of the calculation of housing benefit payable to Travellers on county council, district, and unitary council sites, and on private sites; and when they now expect to make decisions on this matter.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Department for Work and Pensions is still considering the draft report of the research to inform a review of the mechanisms of how housing benefit is administered to Travellers claiming at county council, district and unitary council, and private sites. The final report is expected to be published in the summer. A copy will be placed in the Library.